This week, NAYA youths Quin Clark, Blackfoot & Cherokee, Logan Chapman, Seneca Cayuga, Lesly Vera, Mexican Indigenous, and Davineekaht White Elk, Ute & Blackfoot, four student representatives from Portland's Native community traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in a youth leadership development program. The students had a chance to meet elected leaders, tour historic sites, visit colleges in the D.C. area, and attend sessions on a variety of topics related to governance and youth empowerment. NAYA's Facebook, twitter and Instagram accounts documented their journey. Follow us and follow these emerging leaders.

Students visited the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and other historic sites, and participated in a model Congress. Davineekaht White Elk says the trip opened her eyes to the need for Native American leadership. Seeing a city with so few people of color serving as elected officials has made her interested in policy and politics for the first time. "All week I felt like I was teaching people the Native perspective on things, making them know we're still here. But that's not enough. I want to make decisions," she says.

Trips like this one make leadership more accessible for youth who might not have had the chance. Please support NAYA's work in developing the next generation of leaders by making a tax-deductible donation today.

The program, Democracy in Action, was made possible by the Washington Workshops Foundation and Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation. We thank them for their investment in Native youth.

Leadership is about making sure your voice is heard, and one of the easiest ways to do that is to register, and to vote! If you're a resident of the state of Oregon, you can update your voter registration on the NAYA civic engagement website. If you live in another state, you can update your registration online at the Native Vote national website.

NATIVE AMERICAN YOUTH AND FAMILY CENTER
Our Mission: To enhance the diverse strengths of our youth and families in partnership with the community through cultural identity and education. Founded by the community, for the community, NAYA is a family of numerous tribes and voices who are rooted in sustaining tradition. We work to identify and provide intentional services that will guide our people in the direction of personal success and balance, empowering positive change and cultural wealth.
http://nayapdx.org/

Native Vote
Native Vote, a national non-partisan effort to mobilize the American Indian and Alaska Native vote, is an initiative of NCAI. Native Vote is a non-partisan initiative. All Native Vote activities will be conducted in a nonpartisan manner in compliance with IRS rules and regulations and will not constitute prohibited political activity. We do not endorse any candidate for office or support any partisan statements or endorsements expressed by members of NativeVote.org.
http://www.nativevote.org/